Orthodontists

SOC Code: 29-1023
Also known as:
Board Certified Orthodontist, Dental Treatment Coordinator, Dentofacial Orthopedics Dentist, Invisible Braces Orthodontist, Orthodontic Dentist
Median Annual Salary
N/A
+4.4% growth (2024-2034)
200
Openings/Year
6K
Current Jobs

What Orthodontists Do

Examine, diagnose, and treat dental malocclusions and oral cavity anomalies. Design and fabricate appliances to realign teeth and jaws to produce and maintain normal function and to improve appearance.

💰 Salary

N/A
Median annual wage (2024)

📈 Job Growth

+4.4%
Faster than average

🎓 Education

Doctoral or professional degree
Typical entry-level requirement

🚀 Annual Openings

200
Projected average per year

📚 On-the-Job Training

Internship/residency
Expected training period

Employment Projections (2024-2034)

Current Employment (2024)

5,900

Projected Employment (2034)

6,200

Related Careers

Dentists, general

$172,790 • +4.1% growth
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Oral and maxillofacial surgeons

N/A • +4.1% growth
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Prosthodontists

N/A • +4.5% growth
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Orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric

N/A • +4.1% growth
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Pediatric surgeons

N/A • +1.5% growth
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Top Skills Required

Active Listening
Speaking
Critical Thinking
Monitoring
Complex Problem Solving

Daily Tasks & Responsibilities

  • Diagnose teeth and jaw or other dental-facial abnormalities.
  • Examine patients to assess abnormalities of jaw development, tooth position, and other dental-facial structures.
  • Study diagnostic records, such as medical or dental histories, plaster models of the teeth, photos of a patient's face and teeth, and X-rays, to develop patient treatment plans.
  • Fit dental appliances in patients' mouths to alter the position and relationship of teeth and jaws or to realign teeth.
  • Adjust dental appliances to produce and maintain normal function.
  • Provide patients with proposed treatment plans and cost estimates.
  • Advise patients to comply with treatment plans.
  • Prepare diagnostic and treatment records.
  • Instruct dental officers and technical assistants in orthodontic procedures and techniques.
  • Coordinate orthodontic services with other dental and medical services.

Technology & Tools

Facebook Microsoft Office software

📚 Entry-Level Education

Doctoral or professional degree
Most common requirement

🎯 Recommended Education

Post-Doctoral Training
O*NET recommended level

Degree Programs for Orthodontists

These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a orthodontists:

Orthodontics/Orthodontology

323 degrees awarded • 38 colleges offer this program
View Colleges →

Best Colleges for Becoming a Orthodontists

Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become orthodontists.

# College Location Related Degrees Repit Grade
1 University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI 7 A+
2 Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NY 16 A
3 Boston University Boston, MA 14 A
4 Tufts University Medford, MA 8 A
5 University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA 6 A
6 University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA 6 A
7 Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, OH 10 B+
8 University of Rochester Rochester, NY 8 B+
9 University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN 7 B+
10 Texas A & M University-College Station College Station, TX 6 B+
11 University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, WA 5 B+
12 Rutgers University-New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJ 5 B+
13 University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA 4 B+
14 Stony Brook University Stony Brook, NY 3 B+
15 University of Iowa Iowa City, IA 15 B
16 Saint Louis University Saint Louis, MO 15 B
17 University at Buffalo Buffalo, NY 9 B
18 University of Illinois Chicago Chicago, IL 8 B
19 Temple University Philadelphia, PA 6 B
20 University of Louisville Louisville, KY 6 B

Want this ranking as a spreadsheet? Investor Pro+ members can export any Repit table to CSV. See plans →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do orthodontists make?
The median annual salary for orthodontists is N/A.
What education do orthodontists need?
Most orthodontists positions require a doctoral or professional degree. Common degree programs include Orthodontics/Orthodontology.
Is becoming orthodontists a good career choice?
Orthodontists is projected to see +4.4% job growth from 2024 to 2034, which is about average for all occupations. With approximately 200 job openings expected annually, there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for orthodontists?
Top colleges for aspiring orthodontists include University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Columbia University in the City of New York, Boston University, Tufts University, University of Southern California. These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to orthodontists?
Orthodontists may also be known as: Board Certified Orthodontist, Dental Treatment Coordinator, Dentofacial Orthopedics Dentist, Invisible Braces Orthodontist, Orthodontic Dentist, Orthodontic Specialist, Orthodontic Treatment Coordinator, Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics Specialist, Orthodontics Doctor, Orthodontist, Pediatric Orthodontist. These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.